Our Ministries
A Lot to Grow
The Pope Francis Garden is a vegetable garden tended by St. Teresa Parishioners and is located behind Immaculate Conception Church. We are partnered with A Lot to Grow, a community garden organization design to grow vegetables and herbs for distribution to local food pantries, soup kitchens and non-profit senior residences in suburban Essex County, NJ. Most of our produce goes to our own Mary's Pantry.
Mary's Pantry
Mary’s Pantry is located at Pope Francis Hall (bottom level of the parish center) on 1 Munn St. and has been in existence for many years thanks to the generosity of so many parishioners. Many of the needy of our community are fed thanks to their kindness. Food items can be dropped off at the entrance of the church (a special collection takes place on the last weekend of each month) or at the Parish Office. Mary’s Pantry is Wednesday from 10am until 12pm and is manned by a group of volunteers. A special distribution takes place at Thanksgiving, in order to provide families with an enjoyable meal for the holidays. If you would like to help, please contact the Parish Office at (973) 744-5650
Refugee Resettlement Ministry
The Refugee Resettlement Ministry at St Teresa of Calcutta Parish is a group of parishioners and members of the community committed to welcoming the stranger among us by assisting new arrived immigrants in finding housing and employment. We support them in their journey to full assimilation.
Altar Server
Altar Servers are an important part of the Mass. They assist the priest in the celebration of Mass and other liturgies. You must be in grade 3 or higher and have received your First Holy Communion to become an altar server. Being an altar server is an honor and a privilege, which provides the opportunity to participate in the liturgy in a special way.
Other goals of the Altar Server Program are to deepen the server’s faith, helping the server to appreciate the Mass more deeply, and to inspire young men and women to consider a religious vocation. Servers are required to attend several training sessions and an installation ceremony. If interested in becoming an Altar Server please contact the Parish Office 973-744-5650 or FamilyFaith@MontclairCatholics.org
Lector
Lectors proclaim the scriptures with clarity, understanding and conviction. They carrying the Book of the Gospels in procession and lead the prayer of the faithful during Mass.
Persons interested in becoming a Lector should be practicing Catholics and are asked to attend in-house and diocesan training. If you are interested in becoming at Lector at St Teresa of Calcutta Parish, please contact the parish office at ParishOffice@MontclairCatholics.org
The role of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is to help distribute the holy Eucharist during the Masses. This is a vital and sacred ministry of the sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ. They also brings the Holy Eucharist to the sick, elderly or otherwise home-bound members of the Church.
If you would like to find more or inquire about becoming a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office